FTW94FA206

The pilot had last flown the Luscombe two years before. He had an estimated total time of 10 hours in make and model. Witnesses reported observing two airplanes manuevering and circling at low altitude over trees and highlines. Witnesses reported observing the gray airplane banking to the left and maneuvering from 200 feet to 50 feet above the ground prior to ground impact. One witnesess observed the Luscombe in what appeared to be a roll close to the ground and did not see the airplane come back up. Another witness reported the airplane in a left turning maneuver about 50 feet above the ground prior to impact. There were no mechanical malfunctions. The airplane came to rest 16 feet from the initial ground scars.

History of flight:

On June 21, 1994, at 1040 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N71347, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Decatur, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal cross country flight.

N71347, and a Cessna 180, N2350C, departed Stagecoach Hills Airport, Keller, Texas, earlier that morning with a planned destination of the Lazy G Bar Ranch Airstrip, Decatur, Texas. Both pilots were airline captains.

During an interview, the pilot of the Cessna, who was also the owner/operator of the Luscombe, reported the information in this paragraph. The Luscombe was last fueled two weeks ago and flown about 45 minutes by the owner with no discrepancies noted. Prior to departure the owner of the Cessna asked if he could fly the Luscombe and then he performed the preflight. He determined the fuel by the gauge which reportedly showed 3/4 full (approximately 11 gallons according to the owner of the Luscombe).

The owner of the Luscombe further stated that the Luscombe departed prior to his departure in the Cessna because the Cessna groundspeed was faster. Later, during the enroute phase, the Cessna pilot observed the Luscombe in a left bank maneuver. The Cessna entered a climbing right turn in order to pass high and behind the Luscombe. At the top of the climb, the Cessna pilot banked the airplane to the left to locate the Luscombe and observed the Luscombe impact the ground. The Cessna landed in a field approximately 1/4 mile from the Luscombe in order to assist the rescue of the Luscombe pilot.

During interviews and on the enclosed statements witnesses reported the following information. One airplane was reported at about 150 to 200 feet above the ground and the second airplane about 300 to 400 feet above the ground. The two airplanes descended and were "circling and maneuvering like buzzards low over the trees and highlines." A witness about 3/4 mile from the airplanes observed "through binoculars the gray airplane performed what appeared to be a roll low to the ground and did not come back up while the second airplane went down, up, and down." Another witness stated that the engine of the gray airplane was running as the airplane maneuvered about 50 feet or less above the ground during a left turning maneuver prior to impact.

Personnel information:

The pilot of the Luscombe owned the Cessna 180, N2350C, while the pilot of the Cessna 180 was the owner of the Luscombe. During an interview the owner of the Luscombe estimated that it had been two years since the Cessna owner had flown the Luscombe. He further stated that the pilot had an estimated 10 hours total time in N71347. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated 10,000 hours total flight time as of January 25, 1994. Pilot logbooks were never presented to the Board.

Aircraft information:

N71347 was manufactured in 1946 without an electrical system. The owner purchased the airplane on September 27, 1983. Since his ownership, the airplane had flown a total of 300 hours.

Wreckage and impact information:

Site examination revealed two propeller slash ground scars 15 feet 9 inches to the east of the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest 10 feet west of a dirt road. See the enclosed wreckage diagram for additional details.

The propeller blades exhibited aft bending at the tips with several gouges and striations near the propeller tips. The wings were found removed by the local authorities. Several of the local authorities reported no odor of fuel at the site and that the fuel tank was empty.

Flight control continuity was established. A fuel line from the single fuel tank to the gascolator was found separated forward of the firewall. This line was removed and forwarded to the NTSB laboratory. There was physical evidence of fuel and oil in the vicinity of the separated fuel line. The engine was intact with the carburetor separated. The engine, carburetor, and fuel tank were secured for further examination.

N2350C was flown from the scene on the afternoon of the accident by a pilot from the Lazy Bar G Ranch, Decatur, Texas, prior to the on scene arrival of the NTSB. On June 22, 1994, the Board examined Cessna, N2350C, and found no physical evidence of a midair collision with the Luscombe.

Medical and pathological information:

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner at Fort Worth, Texas, performed the autopsy. According to the Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), the pseudoehedrine (decongestant) detected in the liver fluid and blood is insignificant.

Test and research:

An examination of the engine, carburetor, and fuel tank was conducted at Air Salvage of Dallas in Lancaster, Texas. Engine continuity was established (see enclosed report). There were no reported engine anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. Eight drops of fuel were found in the carburetor bowl. The fuel tank gauge was operational and forward deformation of the fuel tank was noted.

NTSB metallurgists (report enclosed) examination of the fuel line and fitting components disclosed features representative of an overstress situation.

Additional data:

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.